Local Government Officer
What is the work like?
As a local government officer, you would be responsible for putting council policies into practice and making sure that local services are delivered effectively.
Your job might involve planning council services in a policy section, or delivering services in an operational department like education or housing. For example, job titles at this level could include best value officer, external funding officer, policy officer and democratic services officer.
Your day-to-day tasks would vary according to the department and your level of responsibility, but they may include:
- managing and evaluating projects
- writing reports and briefing papers
- dealing with enquiries and giving advice
- presenting information at meetings
- supervising administrative work and managing clerical staff
- keeping records
- drawing up and managing contracts
- liaising with other agencies
- managing budgets and funding.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
The skills and experience you need will vary depending on the job's duties and level of responsibility, so you should check the entry requirements carefully for each job.
For some jobs, employers will prefer you to have A levels or a degree, or qualifications and/or work experience of a similar level. Most councils value life experience and may accept you without the exact qualifications they have asked for, as long as you have enough relevant experience and the skills needed for the job.
If you have a good degree in any subject, you may be able to join many local authorities in England and Wales through the National Graduate Development Programme. Some other local authorities run their own graduate or management training schemes for new entrants.
You could also start in local government as an administrative assistant and work your way up to more senior roles. See the Local Government Administrative Assistant profile for more details.
What further training and development can I do?
Your local authority will provide induction training when you start your job. This would be followed by on-the-job training from experienced staff, plus any formal training courses that you might need. Some employers provide structured training schemes, such as the National Graduate Development Programme.
You may also be given the chance to study for a nationally-recognised qualification, such as:
- NVQ levels 3 to 5 in Business and Administration or Management
- NVQ levels 3 and 4 in Democratic Services
- professional qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)
- Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma from the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM).
Alternatively, you could take qualifications related to your own department, for example in housing, personnel or public finance. If you want to progress into senior management, you may also find it useful to study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
Where can I go for more information?
16 Park CrescentLondon
W1B 1AH
Tel: 020 7580 4741
55-57 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6DX
Tel: 020 7841 1100
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
Civil Service Executive Officer
Civil Service Administrative Officer
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be between £15,000 and £18,000 a year.
- With experience this can rise to between £22,000 and £35,000 a year, depending on the job.
Some local authorities have performance related pay schemes.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job you would work 35 to 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to work extra hours to complete a project, or attend evening meetings. Part-time work, flexitime and job sharing may be available.
You would be based in an office that may be open to the public. You may need to travel within your local authority area to attend meetings or visit other council offices or sites.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent written and spoken communication skills
- the ability to deal with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
- good negotiating skills
- good organisational skills
- a logical approach to solving problems
- accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to analyse and interpret information
- mathematical skills, for working with statistics, invoices or budgets.
What opportunities are there?
Opportunities in local government are good, with policy and delivery officers employed in all departments, from engineering, environmental health and housing, to education, tourism and public relations. Many jobs are temporary fixed-term contracts that depend on the funding available.
With experience, you could progress into management. You could also choose to move into other public sector areas such as the civil service, NHS or the voluntary sector.
Jobs are advertised in the local press and national press, Jobcentre Plus and council websites. You may also find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
LG Jobs
Jobs Go Public
Society Guardian
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
